Thursday, January 16, 2014

January 2014 Great Cakes Soap Challenge Club - Taiwan Swirl


I have to say, this has been one of the most frustrating - and beautiful - swirls I've attempted.

Now that I know just how thin the batter actually has to be, I'll be using this technique more often.

After attempting my usual recipe with multiple oils and butters, I broke down the third time around and used an 80% olive oil and 20% coconut oil recipe.  My fragrance, Love Spell from Sweet Cakes which is a local company in the Minneapolis area, performed beautifully !  No seizing, ricing, nothing.  I don't think it thinned the batter any, but it didn't thicken it either. 

I used two pigments from  Bramble Berry :  Tangerine Wow pigment - a gorgeous orange, really vivid and bright and Fired Up Fuchsia pigment.  The center is Blackstar Blue Mica from The Conservatorie

As much as I would have loved to use  a white base or add stripe of white, I didn't dare use titanium dioxide after hearing that it could thicken the batter.  I have a bit more confidence now and can't wait to try this again!!

Again, a big thank you to Amy for hosting. Be sure to check out all the other soap makers entries, they are truly amazing.    Great Cakes Soapworks Taiwan Swirl Challenge


Suzy ~ Spoonbridge Soaps, Minneapolis


"Sunrise Sunset"



22 comments:

Amy W said...

Love it!!! I know, it's difficult to break from your favorite recipe!! :) Glad you made another attempt, cause it turned out fabulous!!

Unknown said...

Perfect and beautiful colors too!

Unknown said...

Thank you for the kind words, Amy !! I was determined to figure this swirl out and should have used your recipe the first time around. I honestly didn't think it needed to be that fluid, but it really does help. I had a pipe burst in my townhouse, so am not able to make soap for awhile, but as soon as I'm up and running I'm trying the Taiwan Swirl again....so many possibilities!! This has been my favorite challenge so far.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Heather! I appreciate you visiting my blog and the comment. This really was a great challenge - I'd never heard of the Taiwan Swirl before, but it's a new favorite. :-D

Donna said...

This soap is too pretty for words. I absolutely love the colors, and you did a fantastic job with the swirl technique! It has the WOW factor!!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful, the colours certainly make a statement and the swirl is lovely :)

Unknown said...

Wow! This a a gorgeous looking soap :)

Anonymous said...

I love the colors you picked! Your design really came out well!

Cris said...

Beautiful Indeed!

Katy said...

So beautiful, Suzy! I love your colors. The third time must be a charm because this is perfect! Beautiful design!

LatherBeSoaping said...

Wow, that is gorgeous, Suzy! Best of luck in the soap challenge!

Gail Davidson said...

Tangerine WOW, Fired Up Fuchsia WOW, Blackstar Blue WOW - Wow, wow, wow!

SoapJam said...

It's beautiful and striking!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Donna! I need to find out how to keep the colors crisp and not so "blurred' together, but I'll keep practising!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, Nadia ! It took three tries, but I think I understand this swirl now. :-D

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking a look - I appreciate the kind words!

Unknown said...

Thank you!! :-D

Unknown said...

Thanks, Cris - I appreciate that !

Unknown said...

Thanks, Katy ! I need to practise more - I'd like to get crisper lines and am not quite sure how to do that, but I'll keep trying!!

Unknown said...

Hi Jenny !! Long time no chat !! It's good to see your smiling face and I hope the new year's being good to you so far. There are some AMAZING soaps in this challenge, but I'm really glad I tried the Taiwan Swirl and can't wait to try it again. I'm without a kitchen right now, so am itching to make soap - mostly because I can't at the moment !!

Unknown said...

LOL - thank you, Gail !!!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much !!